Selenium, Zinc, and Manganese Status in Pregnant Women and Its Relation to Maternal and Child Complications

Abstract

Micronutrients, as essential components of prenatal care, are important to reduce the risk for maternal and child morbidity and mortality by lowering pregnancy-related complications. The present study aimed to investigate the status of the trace elements, i.e., selenium, zinc, and manganese in pregnant and non-pregnant women from a developing country and to evaluate its relationship with maternal and child complications. Selenium, zinc, and manganese concentrations were measured in the blood serum of 80 pregnant women and compared with 40 non-pregnant healthy controls. The quantitative analyses of trace elements were performed by using the inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) method. The information about the dietary habits of the study participants was recorded by using a food frequency questionnaire. The results showed significant lower selenium and zinc levels in pregnant women as compared to the controls (2.26 ± 1.09 vs. 2.76 ± 1.15 µmol/L, p = 0.031; 21.86 ± 7.21 vs. 29.54 ± 7.62 µmol/L, p < 0.001) respectively, with no difference in manganese concentrations (1.40 ± 0.09 vs.1.38 ± 0.09 log10 nmol/L, p = 0.365). Regarding maternal and child complications, higher manganese levels were associated with an increased odds ratio for maternal complications (OR = 3.175, CI (95%) 1.631−6.181; p = 0.038). Consumption of dairy products was associated with lower selenium and manganese values. Pregnant women showed a lower serum selenium and zinc status, and in addition elevated serum manganese concentrations, which might be associated with a higher risk for maternal pregnancy/birth complications, although more studies are necessary to evaluate this association.

Effect of maternal zinc supplementation or zinc status on pregnancy complications and perinatal outcomes: An umbrella review of meta-analyses

“…Moreover, our results showed that low maternal zinc status increases the risk of different perinatal and child complications. Simultaneously, few previous studies found no association between maternal zinc status and feto-maternal outcomes [16,48]. A positive association between low maternal zinc status and etiology of preeclampsia and pregnancy-induced hypertension has been found in pregnant women due to a decline in antioxidant activities [49,50,51].…”

“…Also, different studies and randomized control trials have currently evaluated the effects of maternal zinc supplements on fetal and maternal complications [15]. Yet, the literature of conflicting studies reflects uncertainty in the evidence linking maternal zinc status and pregnancy complications [16]. However, due to an increase of available studies, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses, conducting an umbrella review is a novel and preferred approach to providing comprehensive, systematic, diverse, and reliable research evidence available for a specific research topic [17].…”

Maternal malnutrition and anaemia in India: dysregulations leading to the ‘thin-fat’ phenotype in newborns

“…In parallel, selenium is vital for efficient antioxidant defence in both mother and foetus. Weak placental antioxidant defence due to low maternal plasma selenium concentration increases the risk of small for gestational age infants ( 40 ) . Many of the beneficial effects of selenium are attributable to its presence as selenocysteine in the selenoproteins, a small but vital group of proteins ( 41 , 42 ) .…”

The role of oxidative stress in patients with recurrent pregnancy loss: a review

“…Micronutrients selenium (Se), zinc (Zn), cooper (Cu) and manganese (Mn) are cofactors for the enzymatic antioxidants and have a crucial role in antioxidant defense and ROS scavenge. Zinc, magnesium, cooper and selenium deficiency are associated with pregnancy complications, preeclampsia, premature delivery, fetal growth retardation and low birth weight [ 65 ]. Selenium is incorporated into the glutathione peroxidase, thioredoxin reductases and selenoprotein-P [ 66 ].…”